|
Click on any of the images below for a larger view
and more information. |
Private James Kirby 64714
9th Battalion Welsh Regiment.
Son of Richard and Ellen Elizabeth Kirby of Lodge
Farm Cottage, where his Father was Bailiff to the Rimmer Family.
James had an older brother John and sister Nellie
who married Sam Pye. On leaving school he worked as a joiner for Pilkingtons of
Mill Lane, Rainford for four shillings (20p) a week.
On the last occasion James was on leave, he was to
have caught the evening train at Rainford Junction to return to his barracks.
However because of it being a stormy night his Mother persuaded him to stay and
catch the morning train.
Through being late his own company departed
without him and James was ordered to join another, which was to embark for
France immediately. Shortly afterwards on the 11th of April 1918,
James was killed aged 19 in the Ypres area, Belgium, during the big German
Spring Offensive of that year.
Commemoration is at Tyne Cot, Belgium panels 93 to
94. This can be found just off the N303 near Passchedaele village.
Footnote
In a letter to Mr Irlam his old headmaster and
choirmaster dated 14th December 1917. James expressed his
disappointment at not being home for Christmas to be able to sing anthems with
the choir at Bickerstaffe Church.
